In September 2013, the FTC charged MNF with running a deceptive business opportunity scheme that promised consumers they would make thousands of dollars helping small businesses get loans. The court in the MNF matter determined that MNF’s promises were false.

The case announced this week alleges that the defendants—an Independent Sales Organization, sales agents, and their principals—provided the MNF scheme access to the credit card networks by submitting and approving fraudulent applications in the names of more than 40 fictitious MNF companies.

The FTC’s complaint says the defendants did so “despite obvious signs that the companies were likely fictitious and being used to conceal the true identity of the underlying merchant.” By processing the fraudulent MNF scheme’s transactions through merchant accounts opened in the names of fictitious companies, the ISO defendants allegedly also evaded the anti-fraud monitoring efforts of the credit card networks.

In the case announced today, the defendants are charged with violating the FTC Act and the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 2-0. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

The FTC files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The case will be decided by the court.